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Time to check your household CO detectors

November 14, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

With the colder weather approaching, everyone will once again be using different sources or appliances to heat their homes.

Along with that comes the danger of carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) in your home.

CO is a poisonous gas that is colourless, odourless, tasteless, and slightly denser than air. The most common source of CO is the partial combustion of carbon-containing compounds.

CO may be emitted from tobacco smoke and generated from malfunctioning fuel-burning stoves including wood, kerosene, natural gas, and propane. It can also be released from gas-burning units like small engines in lawnmowers and generators.

CO poisoning is the most common type of fatal air poisoning in many countries. It can kill without warning.

CO poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in the red blood cells with CO. This can lead to serious tissue damage or death.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, chest pain vomiting, and confusion. It can also create flu-like symptoms if there is a low but constant source of CO in the air.

In extreme cases, death can result. This may occur before anyone even realizes something is wrong.

If you suspect someone has been poisoned by CO, you should call 911 to emergency services respond.

In Ontario, it is required by law to install carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas. Ideally, you should have a CO detector on every floor of your home.

You should check CO detectors on a regular basis and replace them based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

You can prevent the risk of CO poisoning by following safety protocol when it comes to heat sources.

Have your home’s heating system, water heater, and other gas, oil, or wood and coal-burning appliances serviced and checked every year.

Never use portable, flameless chemical heaters indoors. Have your chimney checked a cleaned every year.

Never use any kind of barbecue or camp stove indoors. Do not use things like generators or small motors when working inside a closed garage.

Following safety tips may save your life and the life of your family.

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